Lady Hengwu (Baochai) with Gentle Words Dissolves a Suspected Failing; The Xiaoxiang Maiden (Daiyu) with Witty Banter Adds a Lasting Fragrance

After the sisters had returned to the garden and finished their meal, they each went their separate ways, with nothing of particular note to relate. Now Granny Liu, taking Ban’er with her, went first to see Xifeng. “Tomorrow at dawn I really must go home,” she said. “Though I’ve only stayed two or three days, it hasn’t been long—yet I’ve seen, eaten, and heard things I never did in all my life. It’s been so kind of the Old Lady, of you, young mistress, and of all the young ladies and maids in every chamber, to show such pity for the poor and respect for the aged, and to look after me so well. When I go back, I have no other way to repay you but to burn the finest incense and recite Buddha’s name for you every day, praying that you all live to a hundred—that’s the best I can do.” Xifeng laughed, “Don’t be too pleased. It’s all because of you that the Old Lady caught a chill from the wind and is now lying down feeling unwell; and our little大姐儿 has also caught cold and has a...